Guest speaker Capt. Mark A. Johnson, Commander of Destroyer Squadron Nine and former Commanding Officer of SHOUP, praised Acevedo for his exceptional performance while in command. "CDR Acevedo brought tremendous energy and an absolute determination to succeed. He has forged an outstanding team that could storm a demanding training cycle and has held a standard of excellence that is unmatched."

Acevedo said he was honored to have the opportunity to command SHOUP and acknowledged that the majority of the ship’s success during his time as Commanding Officer was because of the crew and their hard work.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to be your Commanding Officer. You have had a very tumultuous year and a half, marked by a lot of firsts. SHOUP is unlike any other ship I have ever been a part of. There is something about this ship and her crew that cannot be duplicated. Your ability to come together, your willingness to give your shirt off your back to help a shipmate in need and the unrelenting drive and determination that have been hallmarks of our success."

Following his remarks, Acevedo was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his exceptional performance as Commanding Officer from June 2011 to December 2012.

As Cesari assumed command of SHOUP, she addressed the crew. "I follow the footsteps of seven previous SHOUP Commanding Officers, all of them giving their very best, both personally and professionally to lead the Sailors that have made the SHOUP the best destroyer on the waterfront."

Acevedo’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards) and Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various service and unit awards.

Acevedo will report for duty to the Program Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems in Washington D.C.

A very special thank you is extended from USS SHOUP to the Marysville-Pilchuck High School Band for its musical accompaniment during the Change of Command ceremony.

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